English Ivy

Keep your plant’s soil moist but not soaked as this will cause overwatering and death. If your English Ivy starts getting crispy/curling leaves, a grey, washed-out appearance, or yellowing leaves and a lack of new growth then there may be a number of explanations for this. Your plant may be under-watered or is in a too light/hot spot. If the plant is getting yellow lower leaves, little to no growth and a rotting stem or leaves. You can gauge whether your plant is over watered if your soil is not draining at its usual rate. If you’re a first-time plant parent, read our watering plants guide. You won’t regret it!

English Ivy is happiest when placed in indirect light and sometimes even in full shade. Never put them in sunny locations as this will dry out the soil and will result in pale leaves, stunted growth and crisping leaves.

This plant likes a humid environment, but good air circulation is far more crucial. Introduce a humidity tray, especially in winter, to reduce the chances of browning leaf-tips. If it’s situated in a darker location, be careful with over-misting; powdery mildew or leaf spot disease could arise at any time when the air circulation is poor.

English Ivy much prefers loose, moist, well-draining soil.

You can use houseplant feed or general plant fertiliser once a month, but don’t over-feed. If you have never fertilised an English Ivy, make sure you read our guide to using fertiliser!

Check the plant’s underleaves and cubbyholes occasionally for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, scale, thrips, whitefly, blackfly, vine weevils and root mealybugs. If you think your English Ivy has been infected, you can diagnose this using our pests and diseases guide!

When your English Ivy begins to become root-bound (you can see the roots coming through the bottom of your nursery pot) it’s time for a new planter! We have a handy repotting guide if you have never repotted your plant before.